Transfer Rater Ashley Barnes to Chelsea Islam Slimani to Monaco

Things change in the blink of an eye in football. The Football Whispers Index takes the latest transfer rumours and gives them a score out of five; the higher the score, the more realistic and reliable the whisper.

Here are today’s top five emerging whispers. And keep an eye on Transfer Talk for all the latest gossip.

Joe Bryan to Everton

Bristol City left-back Bryan has emerged as an Everton transfer target with Sam Allardyce’s side battling Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion to sign the £7 million-rated defender. That’s according to the Daily Mirror, who say Allardyce has been impressed by the 24-year-old in Bristol City’s charge to the Carabao Cup semifinals — where Bryan scored in their quarterfinal victory over Manchester United. The Merseyside club are in need of a left-back, with Cuco Martina failing to impress while deputising for Leighton Baines.

Ashley Barnes to Chelsea

Chelsea’s search for a target man seems to be becoming more bizarre each day. Sky Sports report that Burnley’s Barnes is one of a number of forwards they’ve made enquiries about in the last few days. Tottenham Hotspur’s Fernando Llorente, West Ham United’s Andy Carroll, Roma’s Edin Dzeko and Stoke City’s Peter Crouch have also been subject of Chelsea transfer rumours.

Junior Stanislas to Newcastle United

With Newcastle short on funds at the moment, they can only really afford to bring in players on loan this January. Rafa Benitez wants more strength in depth in attack, and has reportedly made Stanislas and Chelsea’s Kenedy transfer targets, according to the Sunday People. The 28-year-old Stanislas has made just nine Premier League starts this season for Bournemouth and is reported to be keen on a move.

Jack Harrison to Stoke City

Born in Stoke, Harrison currently plies his trade in MLS with New York City FC but could be set for a return to England. The Stoke Sentinel claim he’s on the verge of joining Stoke City for a deal that could rise to £4m. The winger earned a call-up to England’s Under-21 squad in October and admitted recently he’s dreamed of returning to play football in the country of his birth.

Islam Slimani to Monaco

Slimani is a Monaco transfer target with Leicester willing to sell him this January, according to Sky Sports. Southampton and Newcastle are also interested, while Besiktas president Fikret Orman was at the King Power Stadium to watch the Algeria striker play against Fleetwood Town in the FA Cup. Slimani is out of favour at Leicester, having only started one Premier League game since September and could be set to move on.